How our colleagues are helping our customers in all weathers
Colleagues across our business help our customers in all sorts of ways every day – and they don’t let bad weather get in the way of that.
One such colleague is Aidan Sneyd, one of our team of E.ON Next meter technicians, who goes above and beyond to help keep our customers warm and well.
Even in the adverse weather conditions winter brings, colleagues like Aidan carry out amazing work, travelling to customers’ homes to ensure they remain on-supply despite the winter weather and the challenges that can bring.
Aidan tells us about some of the challenges he and colleagues like him can face during the colder months, and the important role our meter technicians play in doing everything they can to help our customers.
“When I arrived at a customer's property for one of my recent jobs, I encountered severely heavy snow from the previous night.
“The job was to fix and upgrade the gas meter, and I had an initial conversation with the customer to explain the work I’d be doing before checking the meter position and ensuring all gas appliances were turned off. I then turned the power off for the elderly couple and proceeded to exchange the gas meter.
“During my routine tests, I noticed a significant drop in pressure. I re-entered the property to ensure all gas appliances were definitely off. After another attempt with the same pressure drop, I explained to the couple that if the issue couldn't be resolved their gas supply would need to be turned off.
“This understandably caused concern for the couple, as they were already dealing with personal issues and relied on gas for their heating, hot water, and cooking. I reassured them that changing the meter and regulator, that manages the gas flow, would likely solve the problem.
“Fortunately, after changing the meter, the issue was resolved. The customers expressed their gratitude by giving me a hug and thanking me for not having to leave the property without gas. Overall, despite the initial challenges and concerns, the job was successfully completed, and the customer was satisfied with the outcome.”
This is just one example of countless scenarios that our meter technicians experience when severe weather hits, but our colleagues are committed to ensuring our customers can keep their essential supply on. But from a meter technician perspective Aidan felt “relieved and pleased” with the work he had done.
Aidan added: “I feel it’s important to go above and beyond because as a meter technician I’m representing the company. And no matter what job I'm doing, I want to deliver a great experience for the customer to ensure that they can count on us – even when conditions are tough.”
The customer is always at the heart for everything that we do at E.ON, and especially in adverse weather conditions it’s important that our meter technicians take all of the necessary precautions themselves to ensure they remain safe. Aidan said: “There are a number of things I have to do differently in bad weather. Firstly, exercising the correct decision to avoid any unnecessary risk to myself or members of the public.
“I always allow more time for travelling in adverse weather, adapting my driving to suit the weather conditions and ensuring I park around a customer’s property to ensure I can get all of my tools and equipment out from the van safely”.
For Aidan, it had been a really productive day. The icing on the cake was the feedback from the customers, who Aidan told us: ”Were really pleased with everything I’d done, and I was happy the job had been successfully completed with no issues arising in the end.”
We’re proud to have a 1,600-strong meter technician team who are out visiting customers’ homes every day, working – come rain, shine, gale or snow – and continuing to help support our customers.